"Sometimes I go to two a week," Fixman said. "Sometimes I don't go to any. Sometimes I go to three. I need a calendar to keep up with them all."

On almost any given day, Fixman, and others who like to lunch, can pick at least one luncheon invitation from the newspaper's calendar of events.

The menu's fare may be salad or sandwich, a hot entree or fruit plate, a homemade or restaurant-catered affair -- all manner of luncheons seem to be a popular pastime here in west Broward.

"I don't go for the food," Fixman said.

Instead, she goes to contribute to her favorite charities. She also enjoys the entertainment -- especially card party luncheons. She never has a difficult time gathering a bunch of friends together for one of those, she said.

Marcia Pinck, businesswoman and president of Women's Advocacy the Majority/ Minority (WAMM) West, manages to attend an average of two lunches a week. Luncheons, she said, are an effective way to meet women who have similar interests, pass out a few business cards and squeeze in a meal during a busy day.

Lilyan Siegal, chaplain and fund-raiser for the Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary, Edward Goldberg Chapter 519 in Tamarac, said she believes luncheons are a good way to support a favorite charity -- without having to be too involved in the organization itself.

And Rosealie Slass, of the Ilana chapter of Hadassah in Lauderdale Lakes, said in addition to fund-raising, the luncheons are fun, social gatherings.

"Ladies love to lunch," Slass said.

"Why, they get a chance to get dressed up and show off to their friends. Sometimes it's a new hat and in New York years ago it was their mink stoles."

Putting on a luncheon involves more work than most people think, Slass said.

The Hadassah chapter Slass belongs to holds three or four fund-raising luncheons a year. They usually feature an entertainer such as a singer or comedian. At a luncheon in March, which Slass helped to organize, the Lauderdale Lakes chapter joined with a Tamarac chapter to put on a fashion show to raise money for an education project in Israel. Each of the 200 people paid $20 to attend.

"There's a great deal of work involved," Slass said. "Finding the place, organizing it, selling it to your members, knowing where to seat who with who. You never know if this one has a had a fight with that one. You have to be very tactful."

The Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary put on its first fund-raiser luncheon last month. Two hundred dollars was raised at the lunch in Ray's Cafeteria in Lauderdale Lakes.

Siegal, who helped organize the affair, said the planning began three months prior to the lunch.

Committees were formed, tickets were sold, restaurant arrangements worked out and door prizes were collected.

Siegal said after the work was completed, the guests were able to "enjoy themselves while giving."

"There are quite a few women who look forward to these lunches," Siegal said. "They can't belong to all the organizations, but this way they can contribute to them."

Fund-raising is not the aim of the monthly Plantation Newcomers Club luncheons.

The club's purpose is to help newcomers acquaint themselves with their new hometown and to make new friends.

On the third Thursday of each month, the club members visit a different restaurant for fun and food. Prices vary, but are generally less than $8, said Mary Lou Anthoney, who coordinates the outings.

"Last May and June I started lining up places for every month of the year," Anthoney said. "I called the restaurants, interviewed them, set up a a menu, price list and room.

Making arrangements for a large crowd isn't easy, Anthoney said.

"Each month we have between 40 and 80 people. If you go to a restaurant and say 'I have 40 to 80 people to accommodate. Can you help me?' they look at you like you are crazy."

Sometimes the group varies from its restaurant pattern -- such as a picnic in a park so that members can learn about the parks in the area, or a brunch fashion show.

WAMM West, which meets the second Thursday of each month, is designed to provide a forum for networking among business and professional women.

The group meets at the same place each month, the Holiday Inn West, on State Road 7 in Fort Lauderdale. Food arrangements are worked out in advance and prices are $7 for members and $8 for guests.

"Those of us who are in business bring our literature and business cards," said president Marcia Pinck.

"Other women attend because they are not working, or a looking for a new job and they can make contacts with other women in their field."

But the WAMM luncheon meetings are not all business either.

"There are others who come because they like to network. We have a novelist and she has nothing to gain in business. But she does like the camaraderie, she likes being around women who are successful," Pinck said.

"There is something about socializing and breaking bread together. You have to eat anyway and the luncheon gives you an opportunity to sit down and chat and listen to a speaker. The meal really does something, it's an important part of it."